Here are six mystery tools sent in by readers. Do you know what they are?
Answers to the November 2022 items will appear in the January 2023 issue.
Answers for new items in this issue must be received by Nov. 4, 2022.
A. Overall length is 22 inches. Smooth faces are 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Head width measures 6 inches face to face. What was this hammer used for?
No positive identification. Possibly a planishing hammer used in metalworking to finish a surface by finely shaping and smoothing sheet metal.
Identified by Ellis Macha, Renwick, Iowa; Maurice Lange, Hallam, Neb.; James Unruh, Clay Center, Kan.; Nick Caldero, Afton, N.Y.; Norm Kolb, Cherokee, Iowa; Marlin Herbst, Merrill, Iowa; Henry Wischmeier, Columbus, Ind.; Albert Stier, Petersburg, Ill.; Harold Kaufman, Porterfield, Wis.; and Mike Rocca, Rochester, Iowa. Photo submitted by Charley Santhuff, Ellington, Mo.
B. No description or markings provided.
Tool used to mark an angle when cutting pipe.
Identified by Ray Danielson, Belleville, Kan.; Charlie White, Belvue, Kan.; Homer Dougherty, Looneyville, Wyo.; Cary Wilson, Unadilla, N.Y.; Terry Hammontree, Edwardsville, Kan.; Marlin Herbst; Ben Muggli, Miles City, Mt.; and Mike Rocca. Photo submitted by Marvin Gortsema, Fairfield, Wash.
C. Marked 10 DIAMOND 12.
A two-headed adjustable wrench.
“This is a two-headed crescent wrench manufactured by Diamond Calk Horseshoe Co., Duluth, Minn.,” says Richard Lehr. “Founded in 1907 by Otto Stromson, the company produced the wrenches in 4-by-6-, 6-by-8- and 8-by-10-inch heads.” Photo submitted by David Ruark, Pomeroy, Wash.
Identified by by Richard Lehr, Delmar, Del.; Melonee Danielson, Frewsburg, N.Y.; Ellis Macha; JR Pearson, Marcus, Iowa; Maurice Lange; Stan Seevers, Argenta, Ill.; Duane Boyer, Haines, Ore.; Jim Bolt, Corsica, S.D.; Barney Barnhart, Pleasant Hill, Mo.; Conrad B. Fiskness, Chanhassen, Minn.; Angela Green, Webster, Fla.; Dana Timms, Cando, N.D.; Richard Bader, Middletown, N.Y.; Alan Easley, Columbia, Mo.; Robert L. Eicher, N. Lawrence, Ohio; Albert Stier; Rollan Schnitker, Hoyleton, Ill.; Timothy Potaczek, Cornell, Wis.; Harold Kaufman; and Mike Rocca.
D. Piece measures 8 by 6 inches. Marked IHC, ACRES, 1-40 and 40 to 800.
Acre counter from an International Harvester No. 10 grain drill.
Identified by Patrick Kane, Tekoa, Wash.; Carl Crabtree, Odessa, Mo.; Tim Frieden, Lamar, Mo.; Ed Terry, Northfield, Minn.; Ray Danielson; Ellis Macha; Dennis Howard, Boyne Falls, Mich.; Edward Reinking, Smith Center, Kan.; Ken Bolton, Fall Creek, Wis.; Clarence Mueller, Black Creek, Wis.; Doug Kattau, Wilber, Neb.; JR Pearson; Jayne Ross via email; Butch Foster, Ross, Ohio; Duane Boyer; Ronald Christianson, Reedsville, Wis.; Kevin Hagen, Valparaiso, Ind.; Jim Bolt; Bryan Burrell, Fairview, Okla.; Charlie White; Al Welsh, Darien, N.Y.; Bob Ambrose, Stahlstown, Pa.; Joe Neuman, Rushville, Ind.; James Unruh; Charles Garbe, Hudson, Wis.; Ronald J. Seyfert, Ada, Kan.; Clifton Webb, Roosevelt, Okla.; Dana Timms; Wayne J. Hagemeyer, California, Mo.; Lyle A. Olson, Faribault, Minn.; Al Henn, Cherokee, Iowa; Tim Sanders, Perry, Mo.; G.R. Boehne, Springfield, Mo.; Marlin Herbst; Al Fischer, Woodstock, Ill.; Jim Heideman, Rushmore, Minn.; Ben Muggli; Fred H. Shroyer, S. Vienna, Ohio; Richard Bader; Gene E. Jerovitz, Kewaunee, Wis.; Alan Easley; Peter Ditmars, Trumansburg, N.Y.; Albert Stier; Rollan Schnitker; Timothy Potaczek; Bob Ambrose, Stahlstown, Pa.; Bill Eckhardt, Blue Earth, Minn.; Terry Schmidt, Chapman, Kan.; Mark Yanke, Green Bay, Wis.; Pat Kaufman; Nick Caldiero; Michael L. Niemann via email; and Mike Rocca. Photos submitted by Dennis Purcell, Shakopee, Minn.
E. No information provided.
Grain lifter guard, attached to the combine at the sickle bar to lift a downed crop such as soy beans or wheat.
Identified by Ray Danielson; Dennis Howard; Doug Kattau; Jerry Kline, South Bend, Ind.; JR Pearson; Ed Terry; Stan Seevers; Duane Boyer; Ronald Christianson; Jim Bolt; Bernard Hermans, Milbank, S.D.; Bob Ambrose; John Doyen, Pomeroy, Iowa; Conrad B. Fiskness; Joe Neuman; James Unruh; Earl Ming, Sandy, Ore.; Charles Garbe; Clifton Webb; Dana Timms; Lyle A. Olson; Tim Sanders; Vaughn Hornby, Viola, Wis.; G.R. Boehne; Marlin Herbst; Al Fischer; Henry Wischmeier; Ben Muggli; Richard Bader; Andy J. Yoder, Fort Plain, N.Y.; Robert L. Eicher; Peter Ditmars; Donald Bulechek, Iowa City, Iowa; Albert Stier; Rollan Schnitker; Timothy Potaczek; Bob Ambrose; Bill Eckhardt; Terry Schmidt; Mark Yanke; Harold Kaufman; and Ronald Beimborn, Adell, Wis. See Patent No. 3,313,095. Photo submitted by Erwin L. Fullerton, S. Woodstock, Vt.
F. Easures 6-1/4 by 9 inches. No markings.
Iron heating stand. Set on a wood-burning stove with two sad irons heating while a third one is in use. Identified by Ed Riedesel, Peoria, Ill., and Stan Seevers.
Photo submitted by Bob Wittersheim, Carleton, Mich.
To submit photos:
Send prints to Farm Collector, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. Send digital images to editor@farmcollector.com.
- Photos should be taken in a well-lit area against a plain background. Include dimensions and any markings on the piece. We cannot guarantee every photo will be published, nor can we respond to inquiries regarding when photos will be published. No photos will be returned.
- Digital photos should be sent as .jpgs at a minimum of 300 dpi.
To identify an item:
Send answers (with your name and address) to Farm Collector, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. Email responses may be sent to editor@farmcollector.com.
Answers for new items shown in this issue must be received by Nov. 4, 2022.
